Alberta Hodgins lives with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

She relies on an oxygen machine to help her breathe.

“I don’t think we’d be sitting here talking if I didn’t have it,” said Hodgins.

For Hodgins, 83, COPD usually results in a hospital admission every six months.

New data from the Canadian Institute for Health Information shows respiratory disease was one of the top reasons for hospitalization in Canada last year. It came just ahead of heart attacks but way behind giving birth.

Childbirth resulted in more than 360,000 hospitalizations across the country - the main reason for a hospital admission in every province.

In Manitoba, the recovery period after a medical procedure and having a heart attack were other top reasons for hospitalization.

Hospital admissions are down slightly in Manitoba but the amount of time people spend in a hospital has gone up.

CIHI said 8,193 per 100, 000 people were hospitalized in 2013/2014 compared to 8,384 people in 2012/2013 and 9,000 in 2009/2010. The average length of stay for Manitoba was 9.1 days in 2013/2014, compared to 9.0 in 2012/2013 and 8.5 days in 2009/2010.

Jocelyn Thorvaldson at Thorvaldson Care Center said residents have to be admitted into hospitals for a variety of reasons.

"From here, I would say falls are a big one, the possibility of fractures," said Thorvaldson.

But she said some seniors here have been released too soon, sent home from hospital, only to have to return just days later.

"Sometimes I have concerns that hospitals are discharging people prematurely," said Thorvaldson.

In an email, the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority said the decision to discharge patients is made for medical reasons. The WRHA also said readmission rates here are consistent or lower than national rates.

The WRHA’s 30-day readmission rate is 7 per cent, that's slightly better than the national rate which came in at 8.6 per cent.

A stay in hospital is something Hodgins would rather avoid.

"I like being in my own place," said Hodgins.

But Hodgins said she puts her trust in doctors to decide how long she should she stay.